Page:Vol 6 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/278

258 In Michoacan the irrepressible Régules, chief of the centre army, had sustained the campaign, despite a series of reverses at the hands of French and Mexican troops, which in April caused a dissolution of his forces. A month later he was again in the field, and extended his operations into the Toluca region, finding ever a refuge among the ranges of his province, and warm and generous adherents in the rich valleys, especially round Zitácuaro, as well as stout allies in the neighboring province of Guerrero, which had been little trodden by imperialists. Acapulco alone remained in their hands, defended by Montenegro, but fever and desertion were making sad havoc among them, and paving the way for the entry of the patient Juarists.

In this state Porfirio Diaz also had found refuge after his escape from the prison at Puebla, and means to form anew the dispersed army of the south. Supported by the French fleet, the imperialists had obtained a foothold along the Oajacan coast, Prefect